Grignard preparation of certain hydroxy compounds



GRIGNARD PREPARATION OF CERTAIN HYDRDXY COMPOUNDS Hugh E. Ramsden, Metuchen, N.J., assignor to Metal & Thermit Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Application November 28,1955 Serial No. 549,542

7 Claims. (Cl. 260-297) This invention relates to a process of reacting organomagnesium chloride reagents with saturated and unsaturated aldehydes and ketones and to products made by this process. This application is a continuation-inpart of application Serial Number 520,140, filed July 5, 1955, now abandoned.

The organomagnesium chloride reagents employed in practicing this invention may be described as RMgCl nQ where R is an aryl group, a vinyl group or a heterocyclic group, as more particularly defined below, n is an indeterminate number from 1 to 3 and Q has a value hereinafter defined. These organomagnesium chloride reagents are made by reacting the corresponding RC1 with magnesium in the presence of compound Q as reaction medium. In accordance with this invention, these organomaguesium chloride reagents react with aldehydes or ketones to yield, after further reaction with water or dilute acid, substituted alcohols. These alcohols are useful as intermediates (for the manufacture of plasticizers), as insecticides, as perfumes and other products.

Compound Q is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic compound (having 5 or 6 atoms in the ring) containing one oxygen atom in the ring structure; the other ring atoms being carbon with the exception that one nitrogen atom may be substituted for any carbon atom other than those carbon atoms adjacent to the oxygen. The heterocyclic compounds may contain a single unsaturated bond, as in dihydropyran. Compounds within this definition include tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran Z-methyltetrahydrofuran, 2-ethoxytetrahydropyran, tetrahydrofurfuryl ethyl ether, dihydropyran, dibenzofuran and N- methylrnorpholine. Permissible substitutions being groups which are not reactive with organomagnesium chlorides, or with any of the other components and products of the reaction mixtures of the present process,

and includes substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, a koxy and aryloxy groups (all allowable substitutes being those unreactive to other components of the reaction mixture as specified hereinbefore). Where nitrogen replaces a carbon atom, hydrogen on the nitrogen atom must be substituted with a group unreactive to the reactants or reaction products. A further requirement for Q is that the oxygen must be available for electron donation, i.e., the free p-electrons present on the oxygen should be available for coordination with the organomagnesium chloride.

Any large blocking groups in the 2 and'S (6) position may restrict the availability of these electrons. Another way these electrons may be restricted in their availability is by p-pi resonance, as for example in furan, which is not operative. One double bond giving p-pi resonance, as in dihydropyran (which is operative) allows reactivity since the oxygen still has freep-electrons. Expressed in another fashion, the oxygen of the heterocyclic ring structure must be such that electrons of the oxygen atom are available for coordination and complex formation with nited States Patent 0 2,921,940 Patented Jan. 19, 1960 solvent, a Q which has a high melting point may still function in this invention, but if it is used as solvent, obviously the high melting point (e.g., above 90 C.) causes great difficulty in carrying out the reaction. Any liquid Q of any structure whatsoever (with the limitations specified hereinbcfore)'wi1l work.

The reactions may be carried out in a compound Q as reaction medium, preferably at a temperature between room temperature and the reflux temperature. However, thetei'nperature'is not critical andmay be even lower than room temperature. Inert hydrocarbon solvents may also be used-as the reaction medium in place of compound Q. T hecompound Q, employed to promote reaction and to form a coniplexwith the vinyl, heterocyclic or aryl magnesium chloride may be a simple 5 or 6 member heterocyclic compound containing one oxygen in the ring containing one oxygen in the ring and further substituted by monovalent groups and having said characteristics, e.g., Z-methyltetrahydrofuran, 2-ethoxytetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrofurfuryl ethyl ether, N-methyl morpholine, etc. Furthermore, the compound Q may be a 5 or 6 member heterocyclic compound having one oxygen atom in the ring and substituted by polyvalent radicals to form fused ring compounds, providing that the compound has the necessary characteristics set forth above in the definition of compound Q, e.g., dibenzofuran, etc. When the reaction between the aldehyde or ketone and the organomaguesium chloride reagent is finished, cold water and/or dilute acid is added carefully and the resulting substituted alcohol is recovered by distillation or otherwise. The sequence of reactions in the case of aldehydes is illustrated by the following general equa tions:

(1) 'RMgCLnQ+R'CHO RR'CHOMgClX-nQ (2) RR'CHoMgCl-l-H OeRRCHOH+MgClOH For ketones, the general reactions may be written:

R, R and R" are organic radicals which will be more specifically defined hereinafter:

ARYLMAGNESIUM CHLORIDE REAGENTS (A) Reactions with aldehydes.-The reactions of arylmagnesium chloride reagents with aldehydes in accordance with this invention may be illustrated by the following over-all equations, which include the hydrolysis step (Equation 2 above). It is to be understood that Reactions 1 and 2 must be carried out separately. The

, overall equations below are summations of these sepamagnesium. Since Q also apparently functions as a rate reactions.

(6) RMgCLnQ CHaOHO H 0 -9 RMgCLnQ O-cno 11,0

a RMgClmQ, o fl-ono r 7 I wherein R R R, R and R may be the same or difierent substituents as long as they do not react with the arylmagnesium chloride reagent. They may be hydrogen; fluorine, chlorine; alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, etc.; alkenyl, such as vinyl, allyl, propenyl, etc.; aryl, such as phenyl, tolyl, Xylyl, xenyl, etc.; aralkyl, such as benzyl, phenylethyl, cinnamyl, methylbenzyl, etc.; heterocyclic, such as thienyl, thenyl, furyl, etc.; alkoxyl, such as methoxy, ethoxy, allyloxy, etc.; aryloxy, such as phenoxy, tolyloxy, xenyloxy, etc.; and dialkylamino, such as dimethylamino, diethylamino, etc. groups.

Chlorophenyl and substituted chlorophenyl magnesium chlorides react with aldehydes, as illustrated by the following over-all equations which summarize the result of separate reactions (Equations 1 and 2).

RMgClmQ+ +Hg' i U n-ono o r "-cnon wherein R, R" and R' may be the same or different and may be alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, aralkyl, heterccyclic and hydrogen and wherein R, in the case of the chlorophenyl and substituted chlorophenylmagnesium chlorides, is del i I i c1 c1 c1 C1 Cl I C1 C1 Cl C1 C1 Cl Cl 01 c1 In the above radicals any positions not containing chlorine, may be filled withv fluorine or any organic monovalent group such as alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, dialkylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy and alkenyloxy groups. Inaddition, divalent groups such as alkylidene dioxy groups may join to adjacent open positions. The substituents may contain functional groups if these are not reactive to the aryl magnesium chloride reagent.

Xenylmagnesium chlorides react similarly with aldehydes. The reactions are illustrated by the following unbalanced equations which imply that the hydrolysis step (Equation 2) has been carried out:

RMgGLnQd: @0110 O-cmm an e a l e CHO 3 CHOH i 0v 0. I

C13 C14 C12 C13 C12 C15 C14 C14 C13 C14 C14 t 6 ing over-all reactions which include thesepmm 1 y. drolysis steps: -I

(24) R(MgC1) .nQ|-CH O+2H O j The following unbalanced equations illustrate the reactions more graphically; it is assumed that the hydrolysisstep has been carried out:

wherein R(MgCl) may bein general:

wherein the hydrogens on the ring may be replaced by any group not reactive to RMgCl, such as chlorine, fluorine, R N-, R'O--, R etc., and wherein R is e. monovalent organic radical. Twoneighboring R' radicals may be cyclicized. R(MgCl) may also be:

where hydrogen may be replaced as above;

where hydrogen may be replaced as above;

where hydrogen may be replaced as above;

n trwhere hydrogen may be replaced as above;

or R may be any other bivalent group where the bonds from carbon to magnesium are those of aromatic carbon to magnesium.

Furthermore, the number of MgCl groups attached to R may be more than two;v Thus,- we mayhave re actions analogous to those described above involving the tri-, tetra-, pentaand hexa: or even higher magnesium chloride derivatives of arylcompounds including such derivatives of chlorinated biphenyls, terphenyls, 'na'plh pared by the following reaction O .r R OH (36) RMgCLnQ 1120 r G M 7 Memes. .limsxemr s a r ag n mayb w Those alcohols prepared by the above bifunctional arylene di(magnesi um chloride) process which have t. H groups present, inay also be dehydrated to yield olefins according to Reaction 23."

(B) Reactions with ketanes lhekarylmagnesium chloride reagents of this invention react with ketones to yield tertiary alcohols as illustrated by the following over-all equations which includethe hydrolysis step (Equations 2A): a a

wherein R is defined in Reactions 3-8, and R and R" may be alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, aralkyl, heterocyclic and hydrogen. As used herein the symbol I des sna am tel g w r r V Chlorophenyl and substituted. chlorophenylrnagnesium. chlorides; reactqwith ketones to, yield alcohol reaction products according to: Reactions 3440, wherein R is; as,

repl ca i n 9-7- 1 1 In addition, these alcohols containing the group:

HCiJ-Cl) OH. may be dehydrated to V (5:5 7 I as in Reaction 23.

Xenylmagnesium chlorides also react with ketones to yield tertiary alcohols. Alcohols made by this process which contain the structure RfR OOH-dHR can be dehydrated to form olefins, as follows:

s ImQ C wnoc=0 Ownoommn- @GQGzCH:

' Hz0 @(PJC (OH) R dehydrated product if R has hydrogen on the carbon alpha to the O OH group.

dehydrated product it there is a hydrogen on a carbon alpha to the COH group,

v a a I a R o-oH c-on Cl Q 0 g s o 3 CH3 1 -H2O i R i A3011 dehydration product RI 7, r i

(49) V Mamet R'n"0= R "c on 1E5 V 7 dehydration product (50) r R(MgGl);.'n-Q +-C C=U C Ha R a Q OIL dehydrationproduct a I wherein R(MgCl) is defined as for Reactions 24 to 30, and R and R" are defined as hydrocarbon groups.

(C) Reactions with alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes and ketnes.-The arylmagnesium chloride complexes of this invention may react with alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, i.e., compounds containing the group 0=co=0 l l y n where R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, by addition to the carbonyl group, just as in the numerous reactions described under parts A and B. They may also react by 1, 4 addition as follows:

RMgCImQ o=oc=o I t R \CC=OOH 4!. I 1'. I t

where R and R are as defined for Equations 3-8, and where the free bonds may be joined to hydrogen or any hydrocarbon group.

Chlorophenyl and substituted chlorophenylmagnesium chloride complexes, like the arylmagnesium chloride complexes in general, react with alpha, beta unsaturated carbonyl compounds either by addition to the carbonyl linkage or by 14 addition according to general Equation No. 55 above, in which R is now defined as for Reactions 9-15 and R is as defined for Reactions 3-8.

Bifunctional arylene di(magnesium chloride) reagents react with alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes and ketones by either 1, 2 or 1, 4 addition. The former type reaction is illustrated in the following equations which do not show the hydrolysis step but imply that it has been carried out.

(58) RMgCl-nQ CCl CHO CCl CH(OI-I)R+nQ wherein RMgCl in this case may be: (a) dialkylaminophenylmagnesiurn chloride reagents, which are made according to the following reactions:

B=NC 01 Mg nQ i RaNOMgCLnQ (so) or 7 Q ornq 7 i r M RN 43 3 IFIgCLnQ (b) Fluorine and polyfiuorine substituted arylmagnesium chloride reagents which are made according to the following reactions:

F F F F in which R represents a hydrocarbon group and in which the benzene rings may contain any substituents not reactive to the RMgCl-nQ; e

(0!) Hydrocarbostannylarylmagnesium chloride complexes formed by reaction of a hydrocarbostannylaryl chloride with magnesium in the presence of Q in accordance with the following Reactions 69-71.

Q 0169113113 Mg 'nQ GlMgOSuBugmQ Generally;

wherein Bu is the butyl group, R is a hydrocarbon group,

Q has avalue as previously defined, and wherein the benzene groupmay contain any substituents not reactive to RMgCl-nQ;

or 1, z, s, or 9, 01 10 01 7 chlorophenyl and substituted chlorophenyl magnesium chlorides as defined in Reactions 9 through 15;

, (f) Xenylniagnesium chlorides as defined for Reac tions 16 through 22;

(g) Arylpolymagnesium chlorides react with chloral as follows:

3). a i g 55 o1C ci+zMg+ nQ ClMgC MgOlmQ 14 01 01 7 Q (:1 MgCl 01 01+ 2Mg nQ 01 cmo 3MgnQ 12 r it HETEROCYCLIC MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE REAGENTS' (A) Reactions w'ith aldehydes.-'-Heterocyclic magnesium chloride reagents, RMgCl-nQ, as defined below, react with aldehyd'es to yield, after hydrolysis, secondary alcohols (primary alcohols are produced from formaldehyde). Typical reactions are shown by the following unbalanced equations:

wherein R is an alkyl or aralkyl;

(78) RMgCl-nQ+R"CHO- RR"CHOH-+nQ wherein R" is. an aryl radical in which n is a small whole number, Q has the value ascribed to it above, and R isfa radical which includes in its structure an oxygen, sulfur or tertiary nitrogen heterocycle, its bond to magnesium beingthrough a carbon of an aromatic or;pseudo -aromatic ring;

Among the types of heterocyclic groups, R,twhich may be employed in reactions such as Nos. 76-80 are those shown in the following structural formulas in which a free bond indicates the point of attachment of the eMgCl group except that when two free bonds are shown in one structure they represent alternative points of attachment. In these structures any or all hydrogens in the molecules may be replaced by fluorine, chlorine, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy or other groups not reac tive to RMgCl. Two adjacent substituents may be linked or cycli zed to form further. condensed rings.

U [It Benzopyrimidyl Thiazolyl Benzoth iazulyl Triazyinls Pyrazinyl Pyridazinyl Bifunctional, heterocyclic di(magnesium chlorides), R(MgCl) -nQ, react with aldehydes in accordance with Equations 24 through 30; in all of these reactions .R is a divalent radical which includes in its cyclic structure an oxygen, sulfur or tertiary nitrogen heterocycle, its bonds to magnesium being through carbon atoms of aromatic or pseudo aromatic rings. I t

(B) Reactions with ketones.-Heterocyclic magnesium chloride reagents, RMgCl-nQ as defined for Reactions 7680 react with ketones to form tertiary alcohols, some of which can be dehydrated to yield olefins. Equations 32 and 34-36, illustrate the kinds of reactions which occur, it being understood that R now represents the heterocyclic group.

Bifunctional, heterocy'clie di(magnesium chlorides), R(MgCl) -nQ, in which R is a divalent radical which includes in its structure an oxygen, sulfur or tertiary nitrogen heterocycle, its bonds to magnesium being through carbon atoms of aromatic or pseudoarornatic'rings, react with ketones as in Equation 33, where X is 2.

(C) Reactions with alpha and beta unsaturated aldehydes and ketones.l-leterocyclicmagnesium chloride reagents, RMgCL-nQ as defined for Reactions 76-80 react with alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes and ketones by addition to the carbonyl group as in the reactions described underv parts A and B. They may also react by addition in the 1-4 positions as in the general Equation No. 55. These alternative courses are illustrated in the following equations:

CH =CHCOH (R) CH (D) Reactions with chloral.Heterocyclicmagnesium chloride reagents, RMgCl-nQ, as defined for Equations 76-80 react with chloral according to Equation 58. Heterocyclic polymagnesium chlorides R(MgCl) .,-nQ, wherein R is a radical of valence x which includes in its structure an oxygen, sulfur or tertiary nitrogen heterocycle, its bonds to magnesium being through carbon atoms of aromatic or pseudo aromatic rings, react with chloral according to Equation No. 72.

VINYLMAGNESIUM CHLORIDE REAGENTS In this application, the term vinyl ra'dical refers to the vinyl group or to substituted vinyl groups. Thus, a vinyl chloride has the general formula:

where R, R and R" may be the same or different and may be hydrogen or any hydrocarbon group, aliphatic or aromatic; they may also be hydrocarbon groups with functional group substituents provided that the latter are inert to magnesium and to vinylmagnesium chloride; R may cyclicize with R" or R as, for ex ample in the compound:

furthermore, R'" may also be chlorine, in which case the magnesium may react with one or both'chlo'rines.

When the formula RMgCl-nQ is used in this appli- CQIiOH'IO refer to a vinylmagnesium chloride, then R represents the group /R!II /C=C\ 7 RI! 7 Where R, R and R' are as defined above.

Similarly, in a vinyl dimagnesium chloride reagent, R('MgCl) -nQ, R represents the bivalent group (A) Reactions with aldehydes-Vinylmagnesium chloride reagents, RMgClnQ, as defined above, react with aldehydes in accordance with Equations 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 5 8, to form secondary alcohols; formaldehyde, Equation 5, yields primary alcohols.

4 When the alcohols thus formed contain the grouping they may be dehydrated to form olefins,

Vinyl dimagnesium chlorides react withaldehydes according to Equations 4 where x is 2. B) Reactions with ketones.Vinylmagnesium chloride reagents RMgCl-nQ, as defined above react with ketones to yield tertiary alcohols in accordance with Equations Ia, 2a, '34,- 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40. If an alcohol thus formed'contains a hydrogen atom on the carbon atom alphato the COH group, it may be dehydrated to form an olefin.

- Vinyl di(magnesium chloride) reagents, R(MgCl) -nQ, as defined above, react with ketones according to Equations 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 to form tertiary alcohols and, by subsequent dehydration when this is possible, various dehydration products.

(C) Reactions with a, 13, unsaturated aldehydes and ketones.--Viny1 magnesium chloride reagents,

as definecl above may react with at, )3 unsaturated aldehydes and ketones' by addition at the carbonyl group v The following examples-- are illustrative of the present complex dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (total volume 442 .15 as described under A and 'B. "In'addition, they may add 14 as illustrated by the following equations:

HO GH=CH2 0. 71,2 additionno anaemoH-oH=on,

1,4 addition of 1 mole reagent .O

ant nna-c H2 FeCl: 35, 1,4 addition of H2O; H-CH=CH2 2 moles reagent H Q CHFi-CH GH.=f'GHz invention, however, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. a

Example 1.- -Preparati0n of allyl alcohol One mole vinyl magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran ml.) was added slowly from adropping funnel to a mechanically stirred suspension of 1 mole of trioxymethylene in tetrahydrofuran in a: 1,000 ml. flask; *Air was displaced from the apparatus b'ynitrogen, a slow flowof this gas being maintained during the reaction. The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained at about 40 C.'byvarying. the rate of addition 0f the vinylmagnesium chloride reagent andbyoccasional-use of a cooling water bath. The reagent was added-overa I 30 minute period; the stirring of the mixture being con: tinued for an additional 2 /z hours. .Then,v dilute sulfuric acid (28 ml. in 100 ml. Water) was added slowly. A

'jelly-like precipitate was formed. After standing for two days the mixture was filtered; The organic'flayer of the filtrate was fractionally distilled through a" short column, a gram of hydroquinone and about- 100 ml of high'boiling hydrocarbon having been added.- A small. amount of allyl alcohol, representing about a 15% yield; distilled over at 97-99 C. Its refractive" index was 1.4125.

Example 2.Preparation -qf. methyl-vinyl-cdrbinol Using the same apparatus as in Example 1, 1- mole of vinyl' magnesium chloride=tetrahydrofuram complex dissolved-in tetrahydrofuran' was added to 1f mol e of 5 acetaldehyde in 100 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. The temperature was kept below about 20 .C. during the addition which required 1 hour. The flask was then cooled by anice water bath and dilute sulfuric acid was added. The solid material which precipitated out was separated by suction filtration. An organic layer was separated from the filtrate and fractionally distilled using a 15" packed column; slime hydroquinone and about 100 ml. of high boiling hydrocarbon were added to the boiling flask before completion of the distillation. Methyl-vinylcarbinol was recovered asa fraction boiling at 93 C. Its refractive index was 1.4125.- The yield of pure product was about 22% of theory. No attempt was made to recover more product by redistillation of the other fractions.

Example 3.- Pr epar"'at i0n of pr opyl-vinyl-carbinol Using the apparatus andprocedure of Example 1,

vinyl magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex was vinyl-carbinol was recovered as a fraction boiling at one mole' o'frvin imagfiesium chloride-tetj'raliydrdfuran i complex was caused to react with I more ofbenzalde hycle in tetrahy'dro'furan medium using theap'paratus and procedure of Example 1. Dil-ute'liydrochloric and was used for thehydrolysis' step. After neutralizing the excess acid with sodium bicarbonate, the reaction mixture separated into two liquid-layers. From th' or ganic layer, phenyl vinyl-carb'inol was separated by. fractional distilla'tiori under vacuum. The refractive index was 1.5435 at' 16 C. and the yield was 59% of theoretical.

Example 5.-Prepa'ra'tio'ri 0f- 3-me't'hyl-I-butene-3-0l and is'opre'n'e' By reacting equimolar proportions of vinylmagnesium chloride tetrahydropyran complex'and acetone under essentially the conditions of; Example 4,-.aneixc ellent yield of 3-methyl-l-butene-3-ol1wasobtained. This product vwas dehydrated by heating to about-39 9 0 C. with a small amount ofaniline hydrobromide in a flask equipped with-a 4" packed column andra variabletake-otf distillat ion head. The isoprene} was taken off as it formed. The head temperature stayed at 33-34 C; during the process, The over-all yieldfor the series ofreactions was; about 50%fof theoretical.

Ekamgiled- -Preparatioiz of 1-uinylcycloiiexari0l-1 Onemole of cyclohexanone and' 1 mole of 'vinylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex were caused to react under the conditions of Example '4. About .75

grams of-crudel-vinylcyclohexanol l'(R.I'.'1 .47 were recovered.

Example 7.Prepa'rtrtidr z of meth yl vihyl-phenyl-carbinol O;56mo1e of acetophenone and 0.6 mole of vinylmagnesium chloride complex in tetrahydrofuran were caused to react under the condition of- Example 4. 42.4 grams of methyl-vinyl-phenyl-earb'inol' were recovered.

17 Example 9.-Preparatin of polymer of distyryl-vinylcarbz'nol By reaction of dibenzalacetone with vinylmagnesium chloride complex in tetrahydrofuran there was produced a dark-colored, viscous liquid coplymer of distyryl-vinylcarbinol.

Example 10.-Preparation of benzyl alcohol One mole of phenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex (3 moles of tetrahydrofuran) is added over a period of 1 hour to a stirred solution of 1.0 mole trioxymethylene in 100 ml. tetrahydrofuran. Refluxing conditions are maintained during the addition, and stirring and heating continued for an additional hour. The reaction mixture is then cooled, dil. HCl added, and the resulting solid filtered 01?. From the filtrate (organic layer) is obtained, by distillation, benzyl alcohol, B.P. 93/l0 mm., n 1.5395.

Example 11.-Preparation of Z-phenyI-Z-propanol When 1.0 mole of phenylmagnesium chloride-methyltetrahydrofuran complex is allowed to react With 1.0 mole of acetone under the conditions of Example 10, the resulting product is 2-phenyl-2-propanol.

Example 11A.Preparati0n of Z-phenylpropylene The 2-phenyl-2-propanol from Example 11 on refluxing with glacial acetic acid and a crystal of iodine is dehydrated to 2-phenyl-propylene.

Example 12.Preparati0n of u-p-chlorophenylethanol Example 12A.Preparation of p-chlorostyrene The a-p-chlorophenylethanol is dehydrated by passing it over A1 0 heated to 250 C. It is passed over at a pressure of mm. of mercury (i.e., vacuum), and yields p-chlorostyrene.

Example 13.-Preparati0n of 3-p-clzlorophenyl-l-butyral Equimolar quantities of p-chlorophenylmagnesium chloride in tetrahydrofuran and crotonaldehyde are caused to react according to the procedure of Example 10. Addition of the Grignard is primarily 1,4- and gives as the principal product 3-p-chlorophenyl-l-butyral.

Example 14.Preparation of 1-p-clzlor0phenyl-1-cyclohexanol Equimolar quantities of p-chlorophenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and cyclohexanone are allowed to react 2 hours at 70-80. The reaction flask is cooled and the mixture hydrolyzed by dil. H 80 and the excess acid then neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. Removal of solvent and high vacuum distillation gives l-p-chlorophenyl-l-cyclohexanol.

Example J5.Preparali0n of 3,4-diclzlor0benzhydr0l When 1.0 mole of 3,4-dichlorophenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex is allowed to react with 1.0 mole benzaldehyde under the conditions of Example 10, the product thus obtained is 3,4-dichlorobenzhydrol. Example 16.Preparati0n of 1-(3,4-dichI0r0phenyl)-1 cyclohexanol The reaction of 1.0 mole 3,4-dichlorophenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex with 1.0 mole cycloi8 hexanone in the manner described in Example 14 yields 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-cyclohexanol.

Example 17.Preparation a 2,4,5-trichlorophenylbenzhydrol The conditions of Example 12 are followed, using 2,4,5-trichlorophenylmagnesium chloride and benzaldehyde as reactants and the product isolated from the filtrate is 2,4,5-tri-chlorophenylbenzhydrol.

Example 18.Preparati0n of 2-(2,4,5-trichlor0phenyl)- 2-pr0panol Equimolar quantities of 2,4,5-trichlorophenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and acetone in tetrahydrofuran are allowed to react under essentially the conditions of Example 14, yielding 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2-propanol.

Example 18A.Dehydrati0n of 2-(2,4,5-trichloro phenyl)-2-pr0pan0l 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2-propanol, on refluxing in benzene with p-toluenesulfonic acid, leads to 2-(2,4,5- trichlorophenyl) propylene.

Example 19.Preparati0n of 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pen{achlor0- phenyD-l-butanol One mole of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride tetrahydrofuran complex (5 moles tetrahydrofura'n) is added dropwise to a stirred solution of 1.0 mole butyraldehyde in ml. tetrahydrofuran under refluxing conditions. After a one hour additional reaction period, the mixture is cooled and hydrolyzed with dil. HCl. The filtrate obtained after the unwanted solid is removed by filtration is stripped of solvent and the residue, on purification, yields l-(2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenyl)-l-butanol.

Example 20.-Preparati0-n of 1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentachlor0- phenyD-l-cyclohexaaol Equimolar quantities of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride and cyclohexanone are'allowed to react under the conditions of Example 14 (5 moles of tetrahydrofuran necessary for complex formation), and the product which results is 1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenyl)-1-cyclohexanol.

Example 21 ..Preparation of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachl0r0-.

' benzhydrol When the conditions of Example 10 are followed, using 1.0 mole 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloridetetrahydrofuran complex and 1.0 mole benzaldehyde, a

residue is obtained from which 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobenzhydrol is isolated by crystallization.

Example 22.Preparati0n of a-pheayl- OC-(2,3,4,5,6' pentachlorophenyl) ethanol The reaction of 1.0 mole 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride in 5.0 moles tetrahydrofuran with 1.0 mole acetophenone as described in Example 14 gives as the principal product a-phenyl-a-(2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenyl) ethanol.

Example 23.Preparati0n of a- [2 (4) -ch Zora-4 (2 tolyl] ethanol One mole 2(4)-chloro-4(2)-tolyhnagnesium chloridetetrahydrofuran complex is caused to react with 1.0 mole acetaldehyde using the conditions of Example 12. From the filtrate a solid is isolated which is the desired product, rat-[2(4)-chloro-4(2)-tolyl] ethanol.

Example 24 When equimolar quantities of 2(4)-chloro-4(2)-tolylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and benzalacetone are allowed to react according to the procedure of Example 14, a mixture of products results. This is attributed to a combination of 1,2- and 1,4- addition and the mixture probably contains both 4-phenyl-4-[2(4)- aganseo chloro-4(2)-tolyl] -2-butanon e and styryl a 4).

Example 25.4Pr epa at ion 1 o -talyl lbutan ol The procedure of Example 10 is followed with 1.0 mole o-tolyl-magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and 1.0 mole butyraldehyde as reactants to give l-o-toly1- l-bu'ta'nol. i i

Example 26.Preparation ofl-m-tolyl-Lbiztanol with glacial acetic acid and a cr'y stalio f. iodine is dehyr drated to l-p-tolyl-l-butene. g

Example 28.Preparation of 1-phenyl-1-o-t0lylethan0l By allowing 1.0 mole o-tolylmagnesium. chloridetetrahydrofuran complex and 1.0 mole acetophenone to react according to the procedure for Example, 14the1fe is isolated 1-phenyl-l-o-tolylethanol.

Example 29.Preparati0n,of:Iphenyl-1-m-t0lylethan0l- Following the conditions of Example 14 with m'-tolyl magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and acetophenone as reactants, there is obtained l-phenyl-l -mtolylethanol.

Example 29A.-Preparation of a-tolylstyrene Dehydration of l-phenyl-l-m-tolylethanol, according to Example 18A gives a-tolylstyrene. f

Example 30.Preparation 0f1-phenyl-1-p-tolylethanol The reaction of equimolar quantities of p-tolylmagnesium chloride and acetophenone under the onditions of Example 14 yields l-phenyl-l-p-tolylethanol; Example 31.Preparation of a(2-ethoxyphenyl)-benzyl alcohol 2 ethoxyphenylmagnesium chloride -'tetrahydrofuran complex and benzaldehyde are allo'wedtoreact according totheprocedure of Example 12' to give a-(2-ethoxyphen yl).-.benzyl alcohol. 7

Example 32.-Preparatioa of Z-thenyl alcohol One mole 2-thenylmagnes'ium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex is allowed to react with 1.0 mole trioxymethylene by the process described in Example 12. Removal of. the solventand distillation of the residue gives 2- thenyl alcohol, B.P. 207.

Example 33.Preparation of I-(adhiehyD-I-cyclohex:

- anol i The conditions of Example 14 are followed with 2- thienyl magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and cyclohexanone as reactants and'the'product obtained is l-(a-thienyl)rl-cyclohexanol. I i

Example 34. Breparat ion'of a-pyridylcarbinalv When equimolar quantities of a-pyridylmagnesium chlorrde-tetrahydrofuran complex, and trioxyrnethylene are brought together according to the procedure of ExampleplO, the product is-a-pyridylcarbinol. i

Ea ample V 35 .Preparatioa of .1 -a-pyridyl-1 -cyclohexanol Pyridylmagnesium chloride tetrahydrofuran complex and cyclohexanone are allowed to react in [the manner,

20 described in Example 14. This yields l-e-pyridyl-lcyclohexanol.

Example 3d -Preparation of-I-(Z-quinolyDethanol Following the conditions of Example '14 with Z-quin- 'olylmagnesium chloride-.tetrahydrofuran complex and acetaldehyde as reactants, there is obtained l-(2-quinolyl) ethanol. 7

Example 36A.--Preparati0n of Z-vinylqainoline Dehydration of 1-(2-quinolyl) ethanol by refluxing it in benzene with a small amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid gives 2-vinylquinoline.

I Example 37.-.-.-Preparation of l-(6-qainolyl)ethanol Thereaction of equimolar quantities of 6-quinolylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex with acct aldehyde. according to Example 14 gives '1-(2-quinolyl) ethanol. 1

Example 38;-Breparationof 1-(8-qainolyl) ethanol One mole of- 8-quinolylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and 1.0 mole of acetaldehyde react under the conditions of Example 14, and from the filtrate there is isolated l-(8-quinolyl) ethanol.

Example.'39.Preparation of J-phenyl-I-(Z-qainolyl) ethanol Z-quinolylniagnesium chloridetetrahydrof uran complex and acetophenone are allowed to reactby the process outlined in Example 14 and the; resulting product is 1- phenyl- 1-(2-quinolyl) ethanol.

Example 40.Preparation of- 1 -pheny l-1 -(6 -quinolyl ethanol 7 -When equimolar quantities of 6-quinolylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and acetophenone are caused to react under the conditions of Example 14, there is obtained l-phenyl-l-(6-quinolyl) ethanol.

Example 41 Preparation of l-phenylel-(8v-qainolyl) ethanol Following the conditions of Example 14 with 8- quinolyl-magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and acetophenone as reactants, there is isolated from the filtrate, l-phenyl-l-(S-quinolyl) ethanol.

Example 42. -Prep aration of 1 -(2 benz0xazolyl) -1- butanol The reactionof equimolar-quantities of 2-benzoxazolyl-magnesium .chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex. and butyraldehyde under the conditions ofExample 14 yields 1- Z-b enz oxaz olyl -l -butanol.

Example 43 .Preparation of 1- (2-benz0thiaz0lyl)-1- butanol 2 ben'zothiazolylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and butyraldehyde are allowed to react according to the procedureof Example 14.to give 1-'(2-benzothiazolyD-l-butanol.

Example 44 When equimolar quantities of 2-benzoxazolylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and benzalacetone are caused to react under the conditions of Example 14, both 1,2- and 1,4- addition occurs giving a.mixture of products. The residue probably contains both a-styrylm -,(2-benzoxazoly1) ethanol and 4-phenyl-4-(2-benzoxazolyl) Z-butanona: Y

Example 45 Two products are also formed when 1.0 mole benzo thiazolyl-magnesium chloride tetrahydrofuran complex and 1.0 mole benzalacetone react'according to Example 14. These are a-styryl-a-(2=benzothiazolyl)ethanol and -Plm y -4-tz-be hia lyll:21butanone...

Example 46.Preparatz'on of 1-(Z-methyZ-S-benzothiazolyl) -1-butan0l The conditions of Example 14 are followed with 2- methyl-benzothiazol-S-yl-magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and butyraldehyde as reactants. The resulting product is 1-(2-methyl-5-benzothiazolyl)-1- butanol.

Example 46A.Preparation of I-(Z-methyl-S-benzalhiazolyl)-I-butene The 1-(2-methyl-5-benzothiazolyl)-l-butanol from Example 46 is dehydrated by refluxing with glacial acetic acid and a crystal of iodine to I-(Z-methyl-S-benzothiazolyD-l-butene.

Example 47 When equimolar quantities of Z-methyl-benzothiazol- S-yl-magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and benzalacetone are allowed to react under the conditions of Example 14, a mixture of two products is obtained. These result from both 1,2- and 1,4- addition of the Grignard reagent and are a-styryl-u-(2-methyl-5-benzothiazolyl) ethanol and 4-phenyl-4-(2-methyl-5-benzothiazolyl) -2-butanone.

Example 48.Preparatz'on of e-(6-chloro-2-mezhoxy-4- acridyl) benzyl alcohol The reaction of 1.0 mole 6-chloro-2-methoxy-acrid-4- yl-magnesium chloride and 1.0 mole benzaldehyde in tetrahydrofuran in the manner described in Example 14 leads to a-(6-chloro-2-methoxy-4-acridyl) benzyl alcohol.

Example 49.Preparati0n of 2-(6-chl0r0-2-methoxy-4- acridyl)-2-pr0panol Following the procedure of Example 14 and using 6- chloro-Z-methoxy-acrid 4-yl-magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and acetone as reactants, there is obtained 2-(6-chloro-2-methoxy-4-acridyl)-2-propanol.

Example 50.Preparation of 4 (6 )-chl0r0-6 (4)-pyrimidylphenyl carbinol When 1.0 mole 4(6)-chloro-6(4)-pyrimidylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex is allowed to react with 1.0 mole of benzaldehyde as described in Example 14, the product which forms is 4(6)-chloro-6 (4)-pyrimidylphenylcarbinol.

Example 51 .Preparation of 2- [4 (6) chl0r0-6(4) pyrimidyl] -2-pr0panol The conditions of Example 14 are followed and applied to 4(6)-chloro-6(4) pyrimidylmagnesium chloride and acetone. From the filtrate there is obtained on purification, 2 -[4(6)-chloro-6(4)-pyrimidyl]-2-propanol.

Example 51A.Preparatz'0n of 4(6)-chl0 r0-6(4)-[2-pi'0- penyl] -pyrimidine The 2- [4 (6) -chloro-6 (4) -pyrimidyl] -2-propanol from Example 51 is dehydrated by refluxing in benzene with a small amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid to yield 4(6)- chloro-6 (4) [2-propenyl] -pyrimidine.

Example 52.Preparati0n of a-fznylphenylcarbinol Equimolar quantities of a-furylmagnesium chloridetetrahydrofuran complex and benzaldehyde are caused to react according to the procedure of Example 10 and yield e-furylphenylcarbinol.

Example 53.Preparati0n of l-a-furyl-l-cyclohexanol By allowing 1.0 mole m-furylmagnesium chloridetetrahydrofuran complex and 1.0 mole cyclohexanone to react in the manner described in Example 14, there is isolated l-u-furyl-l-cyclohexanol.

Example 53A.Prepara2i0n of l-a-furyl-J-cyclohexene Dehydration of l-e-furyl-l-cyclohexanol by boiling in glacial acetic acid with a crystal of iodine yields l-afuryl-l-cyclohexene.

Example 54.Preparation of 2,5-bis(1-hydroxyethyl) thiophene procedure of Example =11A to give 2,5-bis(2-propenyl) thiophene.

Example 56.-Preparation of 3- (2-chlor0-5-thienyl) -1- butyral When equimolar quantities of 2-chloro-5-thienyl-magnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and crotonaldehyde are caused to react under the conditions of Example 12, the principal product is 3-(2-chloro-5-thienyl)- l-butyral.

Example 57.-Preparati0n of a-phenyl-a-(2-chloro-5- thienyl) ethanol The reaction of 1.0 mole 2-chloro-S-thienylmagnesium chloride and acetophenone in tetrahydrofuran according to the process of Example 14 leads to a-phenyl-a-(Z- chloro-S-thienyl) ethanol.

Example 57A.Preparation of 2-chl0r0-5-(a-phenylvinyl) thiophene Dehydration of a-phenyl-a-(2-chloro-5-thienyl) ethanol by the method of Example 11A gives 2-chloro-5- (a-phenylvinyl) thiophene.

Example 58.Preparation of 3-chloro-2-hepten-4-ol The conditions of Example 12 are followed and applied to 1-chloro-l-propenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex and butyraldehyde. From the filtrate there is obtained on purification, 3-chloro-2-hepten-4-ol.

Example 58A.Preparati0n of 3-chloro-2,4-h'eptadiene 3-chloro-2-hepten-4-ol is dehydrated by refluxing it in glacial acetic acid with a crystal of iodine and gives 3- chloro-2,4-heptadiene.

Example 59.Preparatz'0n of 1-pheayl-2-chlorocrotonyl alcohol Equimolar quantities of l-chloro-l-propenylmagnesium chloride and benzaldehyde in tetrahydrofuran are allowed to react according to the method given in Example 10. This gives as the product, 1-phenyl-2-chlorocrotony1 alcohol.

Example 60.Preparation of 1-(1 -chl0r0-1-propen-1-yl)- I-cyclohexanal When 1.0 mole of l-chloro-l-propenylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex is caused to react with 1.0 mole cyclohexanone under the conditions of Example 23* 14, there results 1-(lgchloro-l-propen-l-yl) l-cyclohexanol.

Example -P iw fi of L-(I-chI ra-I- mpe L yl)-1-cycl0hexene Dehydration of 1-.( l-ehloro-l-propenlayl)r-lrcyclohexa- 1101 according to Example: 36A yields l-(l-chloro-lpropen-1-yl)r1-cyclohexene.

Example 61 .--Pr epara tior of 3-chI rogEphenyI-Z-penren- When p-dimethylaminophenylmagnesium chloride is allowed to react with acetaldchyde under the conditions of'Example 1 2, with the added step of neutralizing the excess H 50 with NaHCO m-p-dimethylaminophenylethanol results. 7

Example 63 Pentafiuorophenylmagnesiurn chloride and acetaldehyde under the conditions of Example 12 yields a-pentafluorophenylethanol.

Example 64 Para-fiuorophenylmagnesium chloride used. in Ex,- ample 63 yields u-fluorophenylethanol Example 65 Ortho-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium chloride in Example 63 yields, a-o-trifluoromethylphenylethanol.

Example 66 Para-trimethylsilylphenylmagnesium chloride used in Example 63 yields oc-p-trimethylsilylphenylethanol, which may be dehydrated by refluxing in benzene (p-toluenesulfonic acid catalyst) to p-trimethylsilylstyrene.

Example 67 Para-tributylstannylphenylmagnesium chloride used in Examples 63 yields 'a-p-tri-n-butylstannylphenylethanol.

Example 68.Terpene alcohol One mole of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and one mole of vinylmagnesium chloride-tetrahydrofuran complex by the process of Example 4 yields 3, 7-dimethyl 1, 6-octadienol-3 (B.P. mm. 8083 C a terpene alcohol.

Example 69.5-(2,2,6-trimethyl-6-cyclohexen-1-yl) 3- methyl-1, 4-pentadiene-3-ol One mole. of pionone and one moleof vinylmagnesium chloride .complex by the process of Example 4 yields 5 (2,2,6- trimethyl 6 cyclohex en-l-yl) -3-m'ethyl-l, 4- pentadien-3-ol.

Throughout the application it is specified that the reactive compoundis 'RM-gCl-nQ. This is so in the equations illustrative of the process and of the materials used in the examples. It is necessary that the RMgCl compound be formed in the presence of compound Q. However, the process of the present invention is not dependent upon RMgCl being present in the form of the Q complex (RMgCltnQ). The illustrative equations herein may-also be written with RMgCl in place of RMgCl-nQ and could be read .with RMgCl as an alternative reactant to .RMgCl-nQ.

The processes of this invention have utility in several ways, namelyz (1) They provide economical means for producing chemicals which are already articles of commerce, such as allyl alcohol, parachlorostyrene, benzhydr'ol, etc.

(2) Theyprovide means for introducing unusual substituents into Wellknqwn alcohols. These substituents alter profoundly the physical and, in some cases, the chemical properties or? the alcohols, greatly increasing their field of usefulness. Many of the compounds so formed are entirely new, while others, although known, have never reached commercial acceptance because the previous methods of manufacture were too expensive.

(3) Their versatility makes it possible to tailor-make chemicals for specific applications, especially when aryl, heterocyclic or vinyl groups areneeded.

(4) It is now possible to make, by these processes, new ol fins nt ining a y hete ocy l c and vi yl s stituents. Such olefins may be-polymerizedor copolymerized to produce resins of special properties,

W il t e nven i n h s een d sc ed w t pa i l reference to specific embodiments, it is to be understood that it is not limited thereto but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A process comprising reacting a compound selected from the class consisting of acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, trioxymethylene, acetone, cyclohexanone, acetophenone, benz alacetone, dibenzalacetone, crotonaldehyde, and fi-ionone'with an organomagnesium chloride in the presence of compound Q; said organomagnesium chloride being prepared by reacting 'an organic chloride of the formula RC1, wherein R-is selected from the class consisting of aryl, vinyl and aromatic-heterocyclic radicals, with magnesium in compound Q; wherein said compound Q is selected from the class consisting of tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, 2-ethoxytetrahydropyran, dihydropyran, tetrahydrofurfuryl ethyl ether, and Z-methyl tetrahydrofuran; and wherein said aromatic-heterocyclic radical is selected from the class consisting of ot-thienyl, int-pyridyl, Z-quinolyl, 6-quinolyl, S-quinolyl, Z-benzoxazolyl, Z-benzothiazolyl, 2-methylbenzothiazol-5-yl, 6- chloro-2 methoxy-acrid-4-yl, 4-chloro-6-py-rimidyl, afuryl, 2,5 -thiophendiyl and 2-chloro-5zthienyl.

2. The process according to claim 1 in which Q is tetrahydrofuran.

3. The process according to claim 1 in which R is the vinyl radical.

4. The process according to claim 1 in which R is an aryl radical. e

5. The process according to claim 1 in which R is the p-vinylphenyl radical.

6. The process according to claim 1 in which R is the pyridyl radical.

7. The process according to claim 4 in which the aryl radical is the phenyl radical.

References Cited in the file of this patent Fieser et al.: Org. Chem, Reinhold Pub]. Co. (1950), p. 135.

' Kharasch: Grignard Reactions of Non-Metallic Substances, 1954, pp. 138-529.

Kharasch: Grignard Reactions of Non-Metallic Substances, 1954, pp. 50 and 51.

Helv. Chim. Acta, vol. 26 1943, pp. 2251-2252. 

1. A PROCESS COMPRISING REACTING A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF ACETALDEHYDE, BUTYRALDEHYDE, BENZALDEHYDE, TRIOXYMETHYLENE, ACETONE, CYCLOHEXANONE, ACETOPHENONE, BENZALACENTONE, DIBENZALACETONE, CROTONALDEHYDE, AND B-IONONE WITH AN ORGANOMAGNESIUM CHLORIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF COMPOUND Q, SAID ORGANOMAGNESIUM CHLORIDE CHLORIDE BEING PREPARED BY REACTING AN ORGANIC CHLORIDE OF THE FORMULA RCL, WHEREIN R IS SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF ARYL, VINYL AND AROMATIC-HETEROCYCLIC RADICALS, WITH MAGNESIUM IN COMPOUND Q, WHEREIN SAID COMPOUND Q IS SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF TETRAHYDROFUR, TETRAHYDROPYRAN, 2-ETHOXYTETRAHYDROPYRAN, DIHYDROPYRAN, TETRAHYDROFURFURYL ETHYL ETHER, AND 2-METHYL TETRAHYDROFURAN, AND WHEREIN SAID AROMATIC-HETEROCYCLIC RADICAL IS SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF A-THIENYL, A-PYRIDYL, 2-QUINOLYL, 6-QUINOLYL, 8-QUINOLYL, 2-BENZOXAZOLYL, 2-BENZOTHIAZOLYL, 2-METHYLBENZOTHIAZOL-5-YL, 6CHLORO-2-METHOXY-ACRID-4YL, 4-CHLORO-6-PYRIMIDYL, AFURYL, 2,5-THIOPHENDIYL AND 2-CHLORO-5-THIENYL.
 6. THE PROCESS ACCORDING TO CHAIN 1 IN WHICH R IS THE PYRIDYL RADICAL. 